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Carotid Artery Disease
Stroke result when blood flow to the brain is inhibited. The most common source of blood flow disruption is a significant narrowing or blockage of the carotid arteries of the neck. Typically, platelets within the blood will congregate along the arterial wall where excessive fatty plaque has accumulated. The result is either a stroke of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).
Surgery is extremely effective at preventing
strokes or TIA’s. Carotid Endarterectomy is considered the gold standard for treating those at risk for stroke or preventing a second event from occurring.
Surgery is limited to a small incision (about
10 cm) in the neck but requires crucial attention and delicate
care. During surgery, the artery is actually opened and the plaque
shelled out.
Episodes of high blood pressure might occur
immediately after surgery. Therefore, most patients are observed
for a day in the ICU. Many go home on the second day following
surgery and will have a mild exhaustion for one to two weeks after
surgery.
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